Al-Kabab excutes a man over witchcraft

[Rambie]

Somali militant group al-Shabaab publicly beheaded an elderly man in Southern Somalia after accusing him of practicing witchcraft.

The execution took place in the town of Kuntawarey of Lower Shabelle region, about 160KM Southwest of the capital Mogadishu on Tuesday evening while a large crowd watched, including women and children.

According to al-Shabaab officials, the unnamed 60-year old man admitted in front of their own court to have been practicing witchcraft.

Last year, the al-Qaeda-linked extremists similarly beheaded two men they accused of practicing witchcraft and sorcery.

Al Shabaab is famous of conducting a series of public executions and amputations in the areas under its control.

The group, which seeks to overthrow the Western-backed government and impose its strict version of Islamic law, has remained a potent threat in the Horn of Africa country after it was forced from the capital Mogadishu in 2011.

[Fortuna]

Forced confession?